Eating a pine cone is generally not recommended. Pine cones are not meant for human consumption and can cause a variety of unpleasant side effects if swallowed. However, accidentally ingesting small pieces of a pine cone is unlikely to cause serious harm in most cases.
Can you eat pine cones?
While pine cones are obviously not a normal part of the human diet, it is physically possible to eat them. Pine cones are not poisonous, so eating one is unlikely to cause a medical emergency. However, pine cones are very tough and woody, covered in sap, and full of pointy scales, so attempting to eat a whole pine cone would be extremely unpleasant and difficult.
Are pine cones toxic to humans?
Pine cones are not inherently toxic, but they do contain small amounts of phenolic compounds and tannins that can cause irritation if consumed in large quantities. The ASPCA lists pine cones as generally non-toxic to humans and pets when ingested in small amounts.
What happens if you swallow part of a pine cone?
If you were to accidentally swallow a small fragment of a pine cone or get a pointy scale lodged in your throat, it may cause some coughing, gagging, or mild discomfort. The woody pieces could potentially cause some stomach discomfort or act as a choking hazard going down. But a small pine cone fragment passing through your system is unlikely to cause any serious damage.
What are the risks of eating a whole pine cone?
Intentionally eating an entire pine cone would be very risky and inadvisable. Some potential risks include:
- Choking hazard – Pine cones could easily get lodged in the throat and obstruct breathing.
- Internal damage – Sharp pine cone scales could scratch or puncture tissues in the esophagus or digestive tract.
- Intestinal blockage – A whole pine cone would be extremely difficult to digest and could get stuck in the intestines, requiring emergency surgery.
- Irritation – Pine sap and tannins may irritate the mouth, throat, and digestive system.
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
What parts of a pine cone are edible?
While pine cones themselves are not intended for consumption, some parts of the pine cone can be eaten:
- Pine nuts – The edible seeds found inside some pine cone species are highly nutritious pine nuts that can be roasted and eaten.
- Pine pollen – The yellow pollen dust that coats pine cones has historically been used as a nutritional supplement.
- Pine sap – In survival situations, pine sap can be consumed for hydration and calories, but it may cause diarrhea.
What are pine cones made of?
Pine cones consist of the following components:
- Woody scales – The hard, wooden plates that make up the structural bulk of the pine cone.
- Pine resin/sap – Sticky sap that seals the pine cone scales and protects the developing seeds.
- Phenolic compounds – A class of chemical compounds found in pine trees that can be irritating.
- Tannins – Bitter plant compounds that act as pest deterrents.
- Pine nuts – The edible seeds found between the scales of some pine cones.
- Fibrous inner core – The central stalk of the pine cone.
Could eating a pine cone ever be fatal?
It is highly unlikely that eating a pine cone could be directly fatal or poisonous to humans. However, there are some potential ways a pine cone could indirectly lead to death or serious harm:
- Choking – If the pine cone fully obstructed the airway, it could lead to death by asphyxiation if not removed.
- Internal injury – Sharp scales could theoretically puncture or lacerate internal organs in the digestive tract.
- Intestinal blockage – Full intestinal obstruction can sometimes be fatal if not treated promptly. Surgery may be required.
- Allergic reaction – People with tree nut allergies could potentially have a severe allergic reaction, but this would be rare.
In general, death or life-threatening complications from accidentally swallowing small amounts of pine cone material would be extremely unlikely. But intentionally eating an entire pine cone could raise the risk of choking or intestinal issues.
What should you do if someone eats part of a pine cone?
If someone swallows a small fragment of a pine cone, the recommended steps are:
- Remain calm – Most cases are not medically serious.
- Examine their mouth – Check for lodged scales or splinters that may need removal.
- Have them drink water – This can help wash down any remaining pieces.
- Monitor over next few days – Watch for signs of abdominal pain, nausea, difficulty swallowing, etc.
- Call Poison Control if concerned – Consult experts at 1-800-222-1222 for advice.
- Seek medical care for severe symptoms – Go to an emergency room if there are signs of airway obstruction, severe distress, or persistent vomiting.
Signs you should seek medical treatment
You should take someone to the emergency room for evaluation if they experience any of the following after swallowing part or all of a pine cone:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Choking or persistent coughing
- Vomiting that won’t stop
- Severe abdominal pain
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Fever over 101°F (38.3°C)
- Signs of intestinal blockage like constipation, bloating, or cramping
How to safely remove pieces of a pine cone lodged in the throat or mouth
If sharp scales or splinters from a pine cone get lodged in the mouth or throat, you can attempt to carefully remove them with tweezers if they are visible and accessible. However, you should avoid pushing material further back into the throat, which risks causing aspiration into the lungs. Beyond gentle tweezer removal, the safest option is to go to the emergency room if something is painfully lodged and won’t dislodge with coughing. A doctor there can numb the area and use specialized tools to safely extract foreign material from the esophagus if needed. Don’t attempt to blindly dig out something stuck deep in the throat, as this risks damaging delicate tissues.
Can dogs safely eat pinecones?
Most veterinarians advise keeping pinecones away from dogs. While not toxic, pinecones pose a high risk of intestinal obstruction or damage if large pieces are swallowed. Dogs may try to eat pinecones if they have an appetite for chewing on wood or are lacking other more appropriate chew toys. Provide your dog with plenty of safe, digestible chew toys so they don’t feel tempted to eat pinecones and other inedible objects which could get stuck in their digestive system. Monitor your dog when outside around pine trees and discourage them from putting pinecones in their mouth. Seek vet care if your dog starts vomiting, has abdominal pain, or stops passing normal stool after eating part of a pinecone.
Cases of accidental pine cone ingestion
Here are some examples of accidental pine cone consumption and outcomes:
6-year-old boy eats pine cone splinter
A 6-year-old boy chewed and swallowed a small splinter of pine cone about 1 inch long while playing outside. He had some minor gagging but was otherwise fine. His parents gave him plenty of water and monitored him closely for 48 hours. He passed the splinter in his stool the next day without complications.
Dog undergoes surgery for pine cone obstruction
A dog required emergency surgery after swallowing a large section of pine cone. The pine cone caused an intestinal obstruction, resulting in vomiting and abdominal pain. During surgery, vets had to make an incision into the dog’s intestines to manipulate and remove the obstructing pine cone pieces. The dog recovered fully after a few days.
Man hospitalized after “pine cone challenge”
As part of a risky social media challenge, a 19-year-old man attempted to eat an entire pine cone. He developed severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation overnight. At the emergency room, x-rays showed a full intestinal obstruction. He underwent surgery to remove the compacted pine cone debris, which had lacerated areas of his GI tract. He was hospitalized for over a week recovering.
| Person | Amount ingested | Symptoms | Treatment | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6-year-old boy | Small 1-inch splinter | Gagging | Monitoring at home | Passed normally |
| Dog | Large pine cone section | Vomiting, abdominal pain | Surgery to remove obstruction | Full recovery after surgery |
| 19-year-old man | Entire pine cone | Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation | Hospitalization, surgery to remove obstruction | Recovered after 1+ week |
Conclusion
While not toxic, pine cones are clearly not intended to be eaten. Accidentally ingesting a small fragment may cause minor irritation but is unlikely to lead to serious harm in most cases. However, deliberately eating an entire pine cone, or a dog eating a large piece, can potentially result in dangerous choking or intestinal obstruction requiring emergency medical treatment. Check with a doctor if any concerning symptoms develop after accidentally swallowing part of a pine cone. With prompt care, even significant pine cone ingestions have good outcomes. Overall, pine cones are best appreciated visually and kept out of the mouth.
